Sports simulation device creating the illusion that sports objects interact with real world features

ABSTRACT

A sports simulation device creating the illusion that a sports object is interacting with real world features. A system is used which tracks the movement of a sports object and calculates the future trajectory of the object. The system then displays the calculated trajectory. The simulated movement of the sports object is projected or otherwise displayed onto a transparent or semi-transparent screen, superimposing the displayed trajectory of the sports object over a real-world background, thus creating the illusion that the displayed image is interacting with real world features. In one embodiment, the illusion is created that a struck golf ball travels towards and makes contact with a real world feature (such as a building) when in actuality a net or barrier stops the struck golf ball&#39;s flight after a relatively short distance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sports simulators, and more particularly to a method of sports simulation that creates the illusion that a sports object is interacting with real world features. In particular, the invention relates to a golf simulator that creates the illusion that struck golf balls are interacting with the real world features that are located behind (in the direction of travel of the sports object) the simulator's location.

BACKGROUND

Golf is a popular sport in many parts of the world. Golf driving ranges provide one popular way to practice the game. Although many people who live in densely populated urban areas enjoy the game of golf, many urban areas do not have the ability to build golf courses and driving ranges in close proximity to golfers based on limited space and liability issues. To solve this problem, some golfers have turned to indoor solutions such as golf simulators. However, many golfers find that using a golf simulator indoors and having their golf ball projected on a graphical representation of real world features, such as a golf course, does not accurately recreate the experience of hitting golf balls toward real world features. One solution to this problem is a simulator that creates the illusion that a golf ball is interacting with real world features.

There are a variety of systems available on the market for tracking a sports object in motion, such as a golf ball after it has been struck by a golf club, and then predicting the future trajectory and displaying it onto a screen. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,544,137 disclosed one such tracking system wherein the future trajectory of a moving sports object is extrapolated and projected onto a screen. There are a variety of such tracking systems currently available. Some of these systems rely on high-speed cameras to gather physical data on a sports object in motion and then use a computer to extrapolate the future trajectory of the object. Another popular type of tacking system uses rings of infrared light emitters and receivers, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,874 to track a sports object in motion and then extrapolate a future trajectory. Infrared light systems have also been commonly built into the floor or hitting mat inside of a sports simulation device in order to track a sports object in motion. Radar technology has also been incorporated into certain tracking systems to gather data on a moving sports object, which can be used as part of a sports simulation device. A stereoscopic high-speed digital camera system is also used with at least one tracking system currently on the market.

With each of the technologies mentioned above, the primary purpose of the tracking system is to gather accurate, detailed measurements of the location and motion characteristics of a sports object, such as a golf ball, in motion. The data gathered often includes information such as: Ball speed, ball path, ball vertical launch angle, ball spin rate, ball spin direction, club speed, club path, clubface angle at ball impact, club angle of attack, and so forth. In the case of traditional golf simulators, once the data has been gathered, a computer is then used to calculate the future trajectory of the ball based on the data recorded by the tracking system. Traditional golf simulators then project the image of the moving golf ball onto a computer generated image of a golf course or driving range which is projected on some type of screen in front of the golfer. Often these graphical representations of golf courses are modeled after actual, real world golf courses.

These sports simulators generally have the limitation of forcing the golfer to interact with a computer generated image, thus limiting the realism and enjoyment of the experience for some golfers.

Significant scientific advances have recently been made in the field of transparent screen technology. For years, products have existed that could appear to display an image onto a clear material. For example, HUD (Heads Up Display) systems have been used in airplanes and, more recently, cars, to display information onto the vehicle windshield. Traditionally, these systems have been expensive, only function on a very small scale, and are often adversely affected by varying exterior lighting conditions. Many of these systems have also encountered problems when trying to maintain a completely clear display surface (such as glass), instead requiring a semi-transparent or darkened surface on which to display. Recent advances, such as those outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,467, now allow for transparent screen technology to be effectively used in a variety of new applications, lighting conditions, and display sizes in a practical and more cost effective way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to overcome at least some of the drawbacks relating to the weaknesses of the golf experience currently available from golf simulators as described above.

In one embodiment, the invention is used from rooftop locations in densely populated urban areas. Because golf balls are hard objects that can travel at high speeds over significant distances, it would be unsafe for a golfer to hit golf balls off of a rooftop in a densely populated area. To solve this problem, a transparent or semi-transparent screen display could be used together with a golf ball tracking system. The transparent or semi-transparent screen would allow the golfer to see out over the various real world features behind the simulator. Instead of projecting an artificial environment on the screen (such as in traditional golf simulators), the simulator's transparent screen display would display only certain limited features (such as a golf green and the flight of the golf ball) and superimpose these computer-generated features on top of the real world features. After the golfer strikes the golf ball, the golf simulation technology calculates and displays the future trajectory of the golf ball and superimposes the future trajectory onto the real world features. The actual golf ball is stopped by the a semi transparent net, barrier, or in some embodiments by the transparent or semi-transparent screen, and falls harmlessly to the ground, therefore causing no damage and having no real contact with surrounding real-world features. This embodiment of the invention would create the illusion that after the golfer strikes a golf ball, he can watch it fly through the air and interact with the real world features behind the invention's location, such as the neighboring buildings. In actuality, the struck golf balls would be contained at the location of the invention.

Another embodiment of the invention provides an accurate illusion that struck golf balls are interacting with significant real world features, without the environmental impact of such an interaction. For example, if the invention were placed on the rim of the Grand Canyon, a golfer would be able to stand on a golf hitting-mat, look out over the Canyon, strike real golf balls, and be given the illusion that the struck golf balls were landing in the Canyon below. In actuality, there would be no real impact between the golf balls and the Canyon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates one use of the invention in an urban environment.

FIGS. 3 a-c illustrates the functionality of the transparent or semi-transparent screen in one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one specific example of the one embodiments of the invention is shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and used in conjunction with a variety of real-world features and environments. The invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, this embodiment is provided by way of example so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 includes a hitting mat 1, a projector 2, a hitting net or barrier 3, and a transparent or semi-transparent display screen 10. The starting location of the golf ball 4 is also indicated. The solid line 5 represents the movement of the golf ball after being struck by a golf club. As with other sports simulators, the ball path shows the ball falling harmlessly to the ground after impacting the hitting net or barrier 3. The dotted line 6 represents the simulated path of the golf ball after it has impacted the barrier 3. The simulated path of the ball 6 is projected onto the semi-transparent screen 10 and appears to the golfer (who stands near 4 while using the simulator) to interact with the real world features located behind 3 and 10. In certain embodiments of the invention the barrier 3 and the transparent screen 10 may be a single item with dual functionality. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the barrier 3 and the transparent or semi-transparent screen 10 are two separate objects, one behind the other.

FIG. 2 illustrates one use of the invention in an urban environment. The entire invention illustrated in FIG. 1 is located on the rooftop of building 7. Building 8 also represents a real feature, in this case a separate building located near building 7. Once again, from the golfers perspective near location 4, building 8 can clearly be seen through the hitting net or barrier 3 and the transparent or semi-transparent screen 10. It that way, the golfer has the feeling of actually hitting golf balls toward building 8. The dotted line 6 represents the projected trajectory of a golf ball in flight from the perspective of the golfer at location 4. The actual golf ball follows the path of solid line 5 and falls harmlessly to the floor after striking the hitting net 3. A dotted line representation of a golf green 9 is illustrated on the roof of building 8. Once again, the golf green 9 does not actually exist (and is therefore represented by dotted lines). Instead, golf green 9 is projected onto the semi-transparent screen providing the illusion to a golfer at location 4 that golf green 9 is actually located on the roof of building 8.

FIGS. 3 a-3 c represent the view of the golfer standing near location 4 and using the invention. FIG. 3 a represents what the golfer would see if the screen 3 were completely transparent with no displayed images superimposed over the real world features. If this case, the golfer would see the real world building 8 from his location on the rooftop of building 7. FIG. 3 b represents what the golfer standing near location 4 would see if the screen 3 were completely opaque. If the screen were opaque, the golfer would only see the projected images (in this case golf green 9). If the screen were completely opaque, the flight path of a struck golf ball would also be visible as this is a projected image (Golf ball flight is not depicted in FIG. 3 b). FIG. 3 c represents what a golfer actually sees while standing near location 4 and using the invention. Because the screen is transparent or semi-transparent, the golfer is able to see real-world features (such as building 8) as well as projected images (such as golf green 9). From the perspective of the golfer, the projected images area seamlessly superimposed on top of the real world features. When a ball is struck, the golfer can also see the golf ball traveling along trajectory 6 superimposed on top of real-world features.

The location of real-world features (such as building 8) can also be programmed into the simulator's computer software so that golf balls hit on a variety of different trajectories can be seen interacting with real-world features as appropriate (For example, if the golfer hits his ball to the left or right of building 8, the ball will be observed falling to the ground below. If the ball is hit too short to reach the golf green 9, the ball could be visually appear to hit and bounce off the side of building 8) 

1. A sports simulator, comprising: a launch area from which an object can be accelerated; a net or barrier distanced from the launch area in the direction of travel of the object to limit the travel distance of the object; a transparent or semi-transparent screen distanced from the launch area in the direction of travel of the object; a sports object tracking system which collects physical data on the accelerated object; a computer electrically connected to both the sports object tracking system and the transparent or semi-transparent screen for producing a displayed image of the estimated projected position of the object based on the data gathered by the tracking system;
 2. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the net or barrier is a golf hitting net.
 3. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the net or barrier and the transparent or semi-transparent screen are two separate items.
 4. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the net or barrier and the transparent or semi-transparent screen are a single item with duel functionality.
 5. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the semi transparent screen is a semi-opaque material which allows images to be projected onto the screen while still simultaneously allowing actual, physical features located behind the screen to be seen.
 6. The simulator of claim 1, wherein a laser projector is used to create the displayed image of the sports object on the transparent or semi-transparent screen.
 7. The simulator of claim 1, wherein an emissive projection display is used to display the moving sports object on a transparent screen.
 8. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the transparent or semi-transparent screen is composed of a clear film which has been treated to reflect or otherwise display images from a laser projector.
 9. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the transparent or semi-transparent screen is composed of a clear film which has been treated to reflect or otherwise display images from a standard light projector.
 10. The simulator of claim 1 wherein the transparent or semi-transparent screen is composed of a translucent, semi-opaque film, which has been treated to reflect or otherwise display images from a laser projector.
 11. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the transparent or semi-transparent screen is composed of a translucent, semi-opaque film which has been treated to reflect or otherwise display images from a standard light projector.
 12. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the transparent or semi-transparent screen is built on HUD (Heads up display) technologies.
 13. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the transparent or semi-transparent screen is built on hologram display technology.
 14. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the sports object tracking system uses infrared technology to track and gather motion data about the moving sports object.
 15. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the sports object tracking system uses radar technology to track and gather motion data about the moving sports object.
 16. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the sports object tracking system uses high speed cameras to track and gather motion data about the moving sports object.
 17. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the sports object tracking system uses stereoscopic cameras to track and gather motion data about the moving sports object.
 18. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the sports object tracking system uses a golf launch monitor to track and gather motion data about the moving sports object.
 19. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the sports object tracking system uses triangulation technology to track and gather motion data about the moving sports object.
 20. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the sports object tracking system uses a combination of available technologies to track and gather motion data about the moving sports object.
 21. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the sports object tracking system gathers motion data on the moving sports object by observing the object directly after it has been accelerated.
 22. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the sports object tracking system gathers motion data on the moving sports object by observing a golf club (or other sporting instrument) which was used to accelerate the sports object.
 23. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the sports object tracking system gathers motion data on the moving sports object by observing both the golf club (or other sporting instrument used to cause the acceleration) and the sports object.
 24. A method for simulating sports wherein a sports object is accelerated from a launch area toward a transparent or semi-transparent screen, the progress of the sports object is impeded by a net or other barrier, a sports object tracking system gathers motion data from the sports object in motion, a computer uses the gathered motion data to extrapolate the estimated future trajectory of the sports object, the transparent screen displays the image of the sports object's estimated future trajectory superimposed over the background of real world features located behind (in the direction of object travel) the screen, and the illusion is given that the sports object is interacting with real world features. 